Hip Hop lost a pioneer today (January 24) with the news that WorldStarHipHop founder Lee “Q” O’Denat has died.

Details are scant at this point, but TMZ reports that Q passed away in his sleep at the age of 43. Their source says he died of a heart attack, although an autopsy will happen later today.

Q, who grew up in Queens, New York, started WorldStarHipHop in 2005 as a platform for mixtapes. The site evolved to become a hub for music videos and outrageous clips. WorldStar has been criticized for the graphic nature of its content, but Q explained his vision for the company in a 2015 interview with the New York Times.

“Hip-hop is for the sex, the drugs, the violence, the beefs, the culture,” he said. “That’s the competitiveness of Hip Hop, so I felt like the site needed to be R-rated.”

Reports of Q’s death come just ahead of the February 3 premiere of Worldstar TV on MTV2. The weekly show will feature comedians and Hip Hop personalities reacting to clips from the site.

Don't miss World Star TV on MTV2, coming Friday, February 3rd, 2017 at 11/10c! Subscribe to stay updated on the newest content! http://goo.gl/YuLQAo World Star Hip Hop isn't just a site, it's a movement. It's culture, comedy, music, news, girls, and a launching pad for some of today's hottest urban talent.